Do the Bolts make the momentum swing perfect?

Are the Rangers for real or have they now shot their powder too? It almost seems as if the second surprise team in the Conference Finals is now also running out of puff. Just like the Oilers in the Western Conference.

The Lightning’s experience is now increasingly showing through and the Rangers’ only hope is their immense home strength. A single home defeat, however, would be tantamount to elimination, as they have little to gain on the road.

The pressure in Game 5 is now completely on the shoulders of the New Yorkers, who also have to play against this typical momentum swing. After two losses in a row, it’s always very difficult to flip the switch again.

That’s why they were so close to a win away from home in Game 3, where the problem was on the Bolts’ side. For New York vs. Tampa, our prediction for Game 5 is also a Lightning win for this reason, and they shouldn’t let this series slip away now.

New York Rangers – Statistics & current form

The series is slowly slipping away from the Rangers. Even though the last two losses were away from home, where they have always had their difficulties in the playoffs so far, these defeats still feel like a very clear momentum swing.

Reversing this momentum swing will be very difficult – especially because the opponents are Tampa Bay. A team that has not lost a single playoff series in the last two years. They now smell morning air and are thus doubly and triply dangerous.

Game 5 almost like a Game 7

Which means that this Game 5 is already of decisive importance. If the Rangers lose, the series is as good as lost due to their away weakness. This pressure could become a problem especially for their numerous young players like Kakko, Miller or Leafrenière.

The Bolts have the clearly experienced core to offer here. So it is now up to the experienced Rangers players like Kreider, Zibanejad or Panarin to lead the way and carry the others along. Panarin, in particular, is a player who can score goals with individual actions.

Powerplay still their anchor of hope

Even though they lost their last two games, the Rangers could still rely on one thing: their power play. One goal on two powerplays meant a 50-percent yield in Game 4 – and it was also 40 percent (2 of 5) in Game 3.

So they stand at a strong 32.1% overall, which is their best in the postseason. However, since we consider this to be their only superiority over Tampa, a tip against New York is still our preferred betting option for Rangers vs Lightning.

Key Players:
G: Igor Shesterkin
D: K’Andre Miller
D: Jacob Trouba
LW: Chris Kreider
C: Mika Zibanejad
RW: Frank Vatrano

Tampa Bay Lightning – Statistics & current form

Oops they did it again! Once again the Lightning had their backs against the wall and once again they seem to have pulled their heads out of the noose once again. Like they did in the last two years or in Round 1 against the Maple Leafs.

Nothing has been won yet, but hardly anyone believes that the Bolts will let this momentum be taken away from them now. However, sometimes it can be a lapse by one player that changes everything – see the example of Jacob Trouba (Rangers) in Game 3.

Efficiency has been significantly increased

After Tampa kept despairing of Igor Shesterkin for two and a half games, they’ve done a better job of figuring him out since. Three goals in the final 30 minutes of Game 3 and now four goals in Game 4 show they are clearly on top of their game right now.

In the same period, by the way, they allowed only one goal, which is also thanks to their own goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. With a save percentage of 97.1%, the Russian set a new save record for this series in Game 4.

Tampa defence should be the deciding factor

Generally, their defence around goalie Vasilevskiy is the point that we think will decide the series in the end. With 2.60 goals against per game, they are also 0.34 goals against better than their opponents (Rangers: 2.94).

Offense wins Games – Defence wins Championships. Not only in the West have the Avalanche confirmed this sentence, but in the East the Bolts will do the same. So for New York vs. Tampa, the odds on the Lightning are once again our No.1 betting option for Game 5.

Key Players:
G: Andrei Vasilevskiy
D: Victor Hedman
D: Jan Rutta
LW: Ondrej Palat
C: Brayden Point
RW: Nikita Kucherov

New York Rangers – Tampa Bay Lightning Direct comparison / H2H balance

After that relieving 3-2 from Tampa’s point of view in Game 3, the Bolts now finally have the series in hand after Game 4. It’s still only 2-2, but the betting odds on a series win for the Lightning have already plummeted.

Hardly anyone is still betting on New York. Neither do we, which is why a bet on the away team for Rangers v Bolts on Thursday is well worth playing. Although there hasn’t been an away win in this series yet – but the Lightning are likely to get one.

In addition, betting on sub-par points is a good option. Since this game already feels like a Game 7, the total points should also be in those regions, putting them well on course for Under 5.5 goals.

New York Rangers – Tampa Bay Lightning Tip

Betting on Tampa or betting on Under points? These options now present themselves to us for Game 5, as we expect both a win by the reigning champs and one of their dreaded defensive performances.

In the end, we opted for the forecast on the Lightning + Under 6.5 goals for New York vs. Tampa. This would kill two birds with one stone while generating value that’s a wash.

Alternatively, however, goal bets on the Lightning’s stars are still an option. Kucherov as well as Stamkos and Palast each scored their seventh playoff goal in Game 4 and they will remain hot. Our favoured option on Thursday for New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: betting odds on Stamkos to score